Everton U23s beaten by Hertha Berlin

The Blues Under-23s hosted Hertha Berlin at Goodison Park in the second group game of the Premier League International Cup tonight.

Everton led Group F of the competition after their narrow 2-1 win over Reading back in August but they lost their place at the top of the group after losing 3-1 to the German side.

David Unsworth's men fell three goals behind before the half time interval and only managed to claw back what proved to be a consolation goal in the second half through Gethin Jones.

“First half, we were awful,” Unsworth told evertontv afterwards. “We made 10 changes to give the lads who haven't been playing an opportunity to shine and make our decisions tough. I was really disappointed in the first-half performance where we have given away three goals and its game over.

“At half time, we made some changes and did a lot better. We scored our goal but you can't give any team a three-goal start, particularly a decent side and Hertha were a good team.”

The final game in the group is against Athletic Bilbao, set for Wednesday 21 December 2016.

Two goals down already but it's a very young Everton side as the average age of the Everton team tonight is just under 19. Gethin Jones, at 21, is the oldest member of the starting 11, Morgan Feeney, 17, is the youngest. Only three players 20 or over in the 11 tonight. (Courtesy of the Echo live blog).

Looking at the team, there may be one or two surprises in Sunday's squad at Southampton: no Kenny, Davies, Walsh or Connolly in tonight's team.

Ian McDowell 9Posted
23/11/2016 at
20:25:09

I doubt it, Dave. Koeman seems to fancy experienced players more. That's not a criticism of him. He just prefers experience.

Dave Abrahams 10Posted
23/11/2016 at
20:38:06

Ian (#9), you could be right but there doesn't seem to be any logical reason why they didn't play tonight where they would have got experience playing against European opponents. We will see anyway.

Patrick Murphy 11Posted
23/11/2016 at
20:44:53

Missed some of this, things to do...

Anyway, Hertha were 3-0 up at half-time and the Blues responded by taking off Holland, Henen and Evans and replaced them with Duffus, Bainbridge and Kiersey... Reverted to three at the back and Gethin Jones pulled one back to make it 1-3. There's about 10 minutes left in the game.

Ian McDowell 12Posted
23/11/2016 at
20:46:25

No, I agree, Dave. I can't understand why they don't feature. That said, I'm not totally convinced of why you need an U23 team and the whole structure of youth football. Surely at 21+ you need to be playing more competitive football â€“ even if it's at a lower level.

John Dean 13Posted
24/11/2016 at
09:34:42

A poor performance from the boys in blue. The starting midfield was a surprise and they were overrun by Hertha.

Having been used to the command of games in recent years, our inability to retain possession and move forward with purpose and intent was frustrating. Matty Foulds was beaten with ease for two of the goals and Baningime for the other.

But Unsy showed his metal at half-time, taking off the passenger Holland plus Evans and Henen, playing 5 in midfield and generating some passion. Jack Kiersey, (fresh from annoying Man City fans on Saturday) was prominent in carrying the fight and well deserved his yellow card.

Gethin Jones scored a fine goal and our strikers, Dyson and Duffus, had chances they failed to take.

I can't imagine Unsy sacrificing this game unless Davies and Walsh and maybe Calvert-Lewis are playing some part at Southampton.

James Joseph 14Posted
24/11/2016 at
11:14:20

Dave (#8), sadly I suspect last night's team had nothing to do with any of the youngsters being selected against Southampton as the only player to retain his place from the team that toppled City at the weekend was the goalkeeper.

Probably more to do with physio's advice about needing rest. Hope I'm wrong but it's more likely they'll be playing against the Saints next Monday for the U23s.

Gary Edwards 15Posted
24/11/2016 at
11:47:27

John (#13), thanks for the report. Not seen Kiersey play... him, Charsley and Walsh sounds like an interesting midfield... certainly one that the opposition shins and ankles would know about the following day.

Dave Abrahams 16Posted
25/11/2016 at
19:55:33

John (13) I still can't understand why this team was picked, it is really a combination of the youth team (U18s) and some older lads, I'll bet it was the first time these lads had played together, so I find it amazing that any other result than the tanning they got was expected.

Maybe there is a reason, I'd love to know what is was.

John Dean 17Posted
25/11/2016 at
21:35:28

I, too, was surprised when I saw the team Dave and presumed and hoped it was partly because some first choice starters for the U23s would be travelling to Southampton with a view to playing some part in the game.

Unsy says he wanted to give fringe players a game but this seemed the wrong game for that as the continental teams we've played against in the last two years have been too strong for us and therefore they present good opposition to test our best team against.

Michael Kenrick 18Posted
25/11/2016 at
00:02:57

Strange thing is... this team line-up is almost identical to the one that beat Reading in the same competition back at the start of the season: